6.36 Million visitors welcomed
$787 Million dollars generated in Economic Impact
22,000 Jobs supported in the leisure and hospitality industry
2021 ANNUAL REPORT
A Message From the President/COO Hospitality Partners, Local Officials, Stakeholders and Residents, We are all well aware of the toll 2020 took on the hospitality industry. Bucks County saw a 23% decrease in visitation. And that translated to a 27% decrease in economic impact. However, Bucks County saw a rebound in 2021. An incredible rebound. The County’s location between two major metropolitans, our consistent and innovative marketing, and the resiliency of the tourism and hospitality industry continued to drive visitation to the entire County throughout 2021… every season! The 2021 calendar year hotel occupancy was 66.1%. This was a rebound of more than 30% from 2020 and with more rooms available than ever before. Bucks County also saw record hotel key performance indicators nearly every month. The data shows visitors came. And they came educated as VisitBucksCounty.com saw record traffic with nearly 3.5 million pageviews and 1.5 million users. Our audiences continue to grow as our social following now exceeds more than 143,000 and our
Hotel Visitation Key hotel indicators from STR showed Bucks County overnight visitation rebounded — either matching or surpassing record months.
rapidly growing email list has almost reached 50,000 subscribers. Our goal is to meet the consumer where they are and to continue to deliver excellent service that will keep clients and visitors coming back year after year. The entire Visit Bucks County team is here to work with you. Whatever your needs may be: product development, marketing, research, advocacy… any support. Together, we continue to shape Bucks County as the ideal place to live, work and play!
66.1% Occupancy for 2021 (36.6% increase from 2020)
Thank you, Paul Bencivengo
What’s NEW in Bucks County
O P EN E D IN 2 0 2 1
Despite the pandemic, many businesses opened and were supported by Visit Bucks County. The hospitality industry continues to expand and Visit Bucks County is here to support its growth. • 1675 At The Ridges • Aristaeus Craft Brewing Co. • Bake Ability • Bitchin’ Kitten Brewery • Ferment on Market Street • Great Barn Taphouse • Logan Inn • Metro Esports • Janet L. Mintzer Center at Pearl S. Buck House & Historic Site
• Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co. Dublin • Oldestone • Relic on State • Rise and Grind Café • River’s Edge at Pen Ryn Estate • The Boiler Room by Crossing Vineyards • Vino by Zzino • Wax N Scent Studio
$110.21 Average daily hotel rate (23% increase from 2020)
2.6% Hotel Room Demand estimated to grow in 2022 (Source: Tourism Economics)
Podcasts produced
E-newsletter subscribers
4.2 Million
1,030 42,682
Mentions
Impressions
1,650
451 Stories 25,250,018
Followers
Impressions
Social Media
118,257
Engagements
3,468,288 Pageviews
47,000
Impressions
Video views on YouTube
Brand Advertising VBC promotes the beauty of Bucks County with bold, outdoor photography showcasing the area. Television commercials, billboards and digital ads in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. welcome visitors to stay overnight.
70,875,597 Broadcast and streaming impressions in New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia.
in 2021
101,200,000 65,426,198 Impressions
1,580,447 Engagements
OS
New TV commercials filmed
10
952,100
DE
Sessions
Users
3
VI
1,864,752
1,480,444
VisitBucksCounty.com saw the most traffic ever in calendar year 2021.
UR
Web Traffic
HO
Through customized e-newsletters, creative contests, engaging articles, itineraries and captivating photos and videos, VBC promotes the Bucks County visitor experience and engages with potential tourists across multiple digital mediums.
WATC
Digital & Social Marketing
Digital impressions across social media retargeting, paid search, text ads, email and YouTube.
69,500+ VISITORS SERVICED
What’s NEXT in Bucks County In 2022, visitors to Bucks County can expect continued growth at leisure attractions, dining establishments, event venues and more.
• 1870 Wedgwood Inn B&B of New Hope celebrates 40th anniversary
• Perkasie Borough opens new amphitheater in Lenape Park
• Big Bird’s Tour Bus opens at Sesame PlaceⓇ Philadelphia
• Trolley Barn Public Market in Quakertown opens three new venue spaces
• Newtown Theatre completes renovation project
• Tree Trails Adventures opens in Trevose
• Pride events return to New Hope, Doylestown and Perkasie • Peddler’s Village celebrates 60th anniversary and hosts Bucks County Beach Days: Sand Sculptures in the Village
Visitor Center walk-ins
Live chats on website
Phone calls
Mailings of VBC and partner collateral
Bucks County Commissioners Robert J. Harvie, Jr., Chair Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW, Vice Chair Gene DiGirolamo, Secretary
• Visit Bucks County and the Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County launch the Bucks County Wine & Art Trail
Visit Bucks County Board of Directors Sharon Rossi, Chairperson Ron Gilbert, First Chair Bob McGowan, Second Chair Doug Miller, Secretary Paul Licitra, Treasurer William F. Haas, Immediate Past Chair
For the full list, go to VisitBucksCounty.com/WhatsAhead
Industry Relations & Visitor Services
Paul Boger Bob Caruso Albert A. Giagnacova Mycle Gorman James Humphreys Moses Reidenbach
The VBC team supports the more than 1,400 tourism & hospitality businesses in Bucks County through product development, networking and educational events, and an annual grant program. New in 2021 was the creation of the Destination Ambassador program. This enthusiastic team of event coordinators represent Visit Bucks County at festivals, events and tradeshows inside and outside the region.
Jennifer Ruane Linda Salley Jonathan Snipes Christine Hensel Triantos Dr. Charles Tweedy
Visit Bucks County Team Carol Bandanburg Paul Bencivengo Rosalie Flemke Jenna Giuliani Sandra Herman Alexa Johnson Kelley Keeling
Rachel Macauley Lisa Paglaiccetti Jenna Scull Louise Trucks Meredith Walker Heather Walter
VisitBucksCounty.com Promoting travel to Bucks County | 3207 Street Road, Bensalem, PA 19020 | 215-639-0300 @VisitBucksPA
#StayinBucksCo
#ExploreinBucksCo
#EatinBucksCo
#DrinkinBucksCo
Photo Credits: Bob Krist, Kevin Crawford Imagery, Peddler's Village, Reflections by Ruth, and Sesame Place® Philadelphia. Sources: (cover) ESI, 2020. (Inside & back cover) STR and Tourism Economics, 2021.